J Frame Carry-What am I missing?

I never pocket carry. I just don't find it comfortable. I much prefer everything I carry on a belt.

But just like the bins of holsters most gun guys own, you have to find what works best for you. One size never fits all. And I'm a big fan of "buy & try".
 
Pocket carry draw is inconsistent. Jeans pockets versus casual pants versus the pockets on suit trousers, all have different pocket shapes, access angles, depths, etc.. Reholstering back into a pocket holster one-handed? Maybe it will work, good luck. And having a gun in one pocket, speed strips in another, leaves you needing somewhere else to store your phone, change, and keys.

The use-a-holster argument for a j-frame is one of consistency - same placement, same angle, each and every time. I think this is valuable for both drawing and reholstering. If carrying on a belt, for me it's IWB with a Milt Sparks VMII whether it's a j-frame, Kahr, G19, or 1911, in the same spot, at the same angle. I see a value in that. Your mileage may differ.
 
S&W 2” Model 10-5 for Daily CCW

My daily carry is a 2” model 10-5 (Pocket Carry) but when on the motorcycle I carry a Ruger WCII GP100 3” 7 shot in a Simply Rugged holster in a cross draw position. I don’t even know either gun is there even with the Ruger after a 2600 mile motorcycle trip. I carry the model 10 with 5 rounds hammer on the empty cylinder but the Ruger has 7 at all times
 
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Today we went to a New Year’s party in the community. The last time I tried to slip a J Frame into the pocket of dress slacks the grip poked out when I sat down using a pocket holster, or not using one. My LCP is what’s carried when I wear dress slacks now.
 
J-frames were invented in and for a simpler time..... while their time seems to have passed..... they still work!..........

....................and way better than a sharp stick!

My 337PD titanium weights in at a mere 11oz..... no not a lot of time at the range but in my pocket if a 3" 66 or 3913 is too much gun to conceal.
 
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My carry gun of choice

I daily carry a Model 10-5 (the gun on top) sometimes i pocket carry the little Model 40 (gun at the bottom) the two middle guns are Model 10-7’s
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max503 said:
Weight matters. Cutting a few ounces matters, to me.
I know I'll get flamed for this, but that 12 pound trigger pull makes my j frame safe to pocket carry without a holster. And I have my reasons for doing so.
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You make a fine point. Hands down, it illustrates the versatility of the snub nose revolver and its capability. Indeed, weight matters to me as well and I understand your thought behind the 12 pound trigger pull sans holster.
 
What attracts me to the J-Frame is ...Light Weight .

My 38 special Airweight J-Frame weighs only 12-13 ounces ...
It is so light that in a holster ...inside waist band or outside waist band, or even in a pocket ... it doesn't "pester" you all day pulling down on you .
I have a snub nosed 45 acp that I really love ... but it's a Boat Anchor all stainless steel and at the end of the day it's dragging me down to the point where the Airweight gets picked up because it's light and doesn't drag on me all day !
The older you get ... the more weight matters .
Gary
 
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Once you get good with it...

Norton 750 said:
A lot of guys carry the J frame as their concealed carry sidearm. And for pocket carry in a pocket holster that makes perfect sense to me; been known to do it myself. But I fail to see the appeal of a J frame once you move to a holster. Inside the waistband it would be just as easy to hide a K frame, and they are much easier to shoot. Is it because you carry outside the waistband and the J has a smaller footprint that is easier to hide? I think any cover garment for a J Frame belt holster would also cover the K. What am I missing?
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People will express certain predictable opinions about this question, but my opinion is that what makes one weapon better than another is YOU. My dear friend Mike P is so good with a model 36 in 38 special he can hit a squirrel in the head at 25 yards. He shoots a fox down from out of a tree. He started when he was a boy, and he has had one with him usually in a pocket as long as I've known him (1992). I never asked him if he was better with a K, but I doubt it. Something like instinctive archery is going on. Y'know?

Kind Regards,
BrianD
 
One thing that I've never seen posted is one's size when carrying. LEO and retired I'm assuming are rather tall, 6 ft. or better.


I'm 5'6" and 125 lbs. K frames and concealed carry, show me>>>.


I have a Combat Masterpiece (forget the model) and an M60 snubby.
I'm a 67 civilian, looking to get my CCP in Michigan. I'd like to know the best way to concealed carry my S&W M60-15.



I'm in Michigan. Winter, no problem. Summer, it's like south Florida. Suggestions???
 
Tim Stapp said:
One thing that I've never seen posted is one's size when carrying. LEO and retired I'm assuming are rather tall, 6 ft. or better.


I'm 5'6" and 125 lbs. K frames and concealed carry, show me>>>.


I have a Combat Masterpiece (forget the model) and an M60 snubby.
I'm a 67 civilian, looking to get my CCP in Michigan. I'd like to know the best way to concealed carry my S&W M60-15.



I'm in Michigan. Winter, no problem. Summer, it's like south Florida. Suggestions???
Click to expand...

It really depends on what type of carry you're comfortable with. A lot of people like pocket carry of an air weight like a 442/642/340. But due to the weight of a model 60, you'll most likely want an outside the waist band or inside the waist band holster. Strong side hip or appendix? I'd look at some options on ebay. Everyone is different, and why most of us have boxes of holsters we've tried that didn't work.

The RATH IWB holster by Tulster (available from Amazon & direct) seems to be a good kydex holster (I have one). And I've heard good things about Harry's Holsters Icon 2 which is similar (although more expensive).
 
Its all about the weight. A scandium airlite weighs nothing imo and is ideal for pocket carry. My other edc is a little heavier, a Colt Mustang Pocketlite. I would go to a shoulder rig or vest pocket carry before I used a iwb holster.
 
Well Armed said:
I prefer OWB concealed carry, and I can't do that with a K or L frame w/o a cover garment w/o printing. Than means I IWB carry my 686+ L-frame in the warmer months or even in the cooler months when I might have to take my jacket off. I will OWB carry other times with only a medium t-shirt on. I HATE pocket carry, and will only pocket carry a revolver if I'm walking around the house or running to the car or mailbox really quickly and do feel like putting on a belt and holster. As far as weight is concerned, I don't understand why that's even an issue with small J-frames as they all are light weight. I can understand size, but weight, not so much for an able bodied man or woman.
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Weight of the gun is important to me because anything over 15 ounces or so pulls my pants down and I have to hitch them up every 30 steps unless I am wearing suspenders.
 
gwpercle said:
What attracts me to the J-Frame is ...Light Weight .

My 38 special Airweight J-Frame weighs only 12-13 ounces ...
It is so light that in a holster ...inside waist band or outside waist band, or even in a pocket ... it doesn't "pester" you all day pulling down on you .
I have a snub nosed 45 acp that I really love ... but it's a Boat Anchor all stainless steel and at the end of the day it's dragging me down to the point where the Airweight gets picked up because it's light and doesn't drag on me all day !
The older you get ... the more weight matters .
Gary
Click to expand...


This is definitely true for me as well.
My 642 gets carried a lot, either pocket carry or AIWB. Either way, it's easy, discreet, reliable, and I can consistently carry it regardless of what I'm wearing.

I hear you regarding weight over all.
I've gone to carrying a Sig P365 when I want to have a semi auto. The light weight really makes a difference for me.
 
No big secret to J-frame popularity. Some folks simply prefer carrying a pound of steel all day over carrying two pounds of steel all day.

Next question.
 
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